Definitions for apsisˈæp sɪs; -sɪˌdiz

This page provides all possible meanings and translations of the word apsis

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:(0.00 / 0 votes)

apse, apsis(noun)

a domed or vaulted recess or projection on a building especially the east end of a church; usually contains the altar

WiktionaryRate this definition:(0.00 / 0 votes)

apsis(Noun)

A recess or projection, with a dome or vault, at the east end of a church; an apse.

apsis(Noun)

Either of the points in the elliptical orbit of a planet or comet where it is closest or furthest from the sun; perihelion or aphelion; an apside

Origin: Via apsis, from ἁψίς. See also apse.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:(0.00 / 0 votes)

Apsis(noun)

one of the two points of an orbit, as of a planet or satellite, which are at the greatest and least distance from the central body, corresponding to the aphelion and perihelion of a planet, or to the apogee and perigee of the moon. The more distant is called the higher apsis; the other, the lower apsis; and the line joining them, the line of apsides

Apsis(noun)

in a curve referred to polar coordinates, any point for which the radius vector is a maximum or minimum

FreebaseRate this definition:(0.00 / 0 votes)

Apsis

An apsis, plural apsides, is the point of greatest or least distance of a body from one of the foci of its elliptical orbit. In modern celestial mechanics this focus is also the center of attraction, which is usually the center of mass of the system. Historically, in geocentric systems, apsides were measured from the center of the Earth.
The point of closest approach is called the periapsis or pericentre, from Greek περί, peri, around, and κέντρον, kentron, centre. The point of farthest excursion is called the apoapsis, apocentre or apapsis. A straight line drawn through the periapsis and apoapsis is the line of apsides. This is the major axis of the ellipse, the line through the longest part of the ellipse.
Derivative terms are used to identify the body being orbited. The most common, for closest and farthest points, respectively, are perigee and apogee, referring to orbits around the Earth, and perihelion and aphelion, referring to orbits around the Sun. During the Apollo program, the terms pericynthion and apocynthion were used when referring to the Moon.